The League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) has wrapped up its first week of the winter split. This season kicked off with record-breaking viewership and a flurry of excitement, featuring Spanish debuts, in-game controversies, and unexpected results.
Amidst the chaos, SK Gaming emerged as the unexpected front-runner, ending the week undefeated at the top of the standings.
SK Gaming’s Stunning Performance
SK Gaming, in a surprising turn of events, finished the first week of the LEC as the solo leader with a perfect 3-0 score. This impressive run included victories over the reigning champions G2 Esports and a strong Fnatic team.
The team, led by Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer, showcased exceptional skill against their opponents, with standout performances from players like Ismaïl “Isma” Boualem, the French jungler making a dream debut.
3⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/9kHTBohptQ
— LEC (@LEC) January 15, 2024
Challenges for G2 Esports and Fnatic
G2 Esports, the current European champions, had an unexpectedly rocky start, stumbling against Rogue on the third day and missing the top spot. Fnatic, while starting strong, couldn’t maintain their momentum, ultimately falling to the surging SK Gaming.
MAD Lions KOI’s Successful Debut
MAD Lions KOI, the fusion of Spanish powerhouses, made a successful LEC debut. They secured a win against Team Heretics but faced their first setback against the formidable SK Gaming. However, MAD Lions KOI bounced back with a victory over Karmine Corp, marked by an incredible Pentakill from David “Supa” Martínez.
🤫#LECInvierno | @Supa_LoL @MADLionsKOI pic.twitter.com/gXtJpQIbgO
— Superliga – League of Legends (@LVPesLoL) January 15, 2024
Other Team Highlights
- GIANTX, the merger of Giants Gaming and EXCEL Esports, debuted with a win but ended the week with a 1-2 record.
- Team Heretics recovered from an initial loss to MAD Lions KOI, ending the week on a positive note by defeating GIANTX.
The #LEC standings after Week 1! pic.twitter.com/ou3lyXQvIR
— LEC (@LEC) January 15, 2024
LEC Winter 2024 Week 1: SK Gaming’s Unexpected Dominance
The LEC Winter 2024 has commenced with SK Gaming leading the pack. Close contenders include G2 Esports, MAD Lions KOI, Team BDS Fnatic, and Team Heretics. Teams like GIANTX and Rogue face challenges ahead, while Team Vitality and Karmine Corp seek to recover from a disappointing start.